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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii firefighters are spending Labor Day weekend asking motorists to help “Fill the Boot” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighter Ryan Yanagisawa raised his boot at motorists passing Tamarind Park on Thursday as Estelita Pebenito, right, approached from behind to make a donation.
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Hawaii firefighters are again taking to the streets throughout Labor Day weekend to collect money in their boots for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The MDA’s annual "Fill the Boot" event, which has been going on in Hawaii for more than 20 years, kicked off Thursday with more than 50 firefighters and their families gathered at Tamarind Park. The campaign will continue throughout the weekend at busy intersections on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island.
Last year, motorists statewide tucked more than $75,000 into federal and state firefighters’ boots — and more than $63,000 on Oahu alone — said MDA Hawaii’s executive director, Adrianna O’Donnell.
"It’s not just the firefighters — they come out with their families, their dogs," O’Donnell said. "They’re really rallying for MDA. We’re really grateful for them."
Money collected helps fund MDA services in Hawaii such as clinics, support groups, summer camps and medical equipment repair for more than 500 families affected by various types of muscular dystrophy.
"For the firefighters it is an opportunity to raise awareness and support for a great cause and connect with our community," Bobby Lee, president of the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, said in a news release.
Some donations also go toward worldwide research projects seeking better treatment and cures for more than 40 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA.